Gratitude Infusion into Our Foodie Experiences

Hey, Skinny readers! A very merry belated Christmas to all of you! 🎄 Welcome back to another Skinny Chef Diaries weekly blog.

To be completely honest, as this week began, I was in a bit of a limbo about what to post. I felt like I had nothing meaningful to share. But here's the truth – this feeling of anxiety sneaks up on me every single week! It’s that little voice saying, “Do you have something worth saying?” Spoiler alert: I always do. And this week? Oh boy, so much happened that I cannot wait to share!

Let me kick things off with a highlight that has me absolutely thrilled: On Christmas Eve, I showed my unwavering love and devotion to my best friend, my muse, my lover, and our creative director, Shadre. How, you ask? With a promise ring! 💍

Now, before you wonder, “Why not go straight for an engagement ring?” let me tell you – for me, it’s important to give Shadre everything she deserves and more. This promise ring is my way of cherishing the journey and saying, “Hold tight, because the diamonds are on their way!” 💎 Meanwhile, she gets to enjoy this sparkling little gem for now.

Now, let’s talk Christmas Day! This year, I spent it with Shadre, her mom, and her brother, Royston. We booked a table at The Bull Run in Sandton, and let me tell you – the food and ambiance were absolutely phenomenal! 🍷🍖 It was a day of connection and bonding with my future mother-in-law and brother-in-law, filled with laughter, good vibes, and incredible meals.

With that, let’s dive into this week’s blog – a reflection on gratitude and how it intertwines with food.

Consciously Shopping for Ingredients

Gratitude begins with how we source our food. Try to avoid peak shopping hours to reduce stress and truly savor the experience. Slow down, take in the colors, textures, and scents of fresh produce. Notice the sheen of apples, inspect the vibrant greens of spinach, and savor the freshness of fish.

If you're a Woolies shopper like me, remember to carry your reusable bags! Shadre always reminds me, “Did you take the bags?” Save that R2 you’d spend on a new bag and donate it to a charity instead. Gratitude is in the details, even in small acts of kindness.

Reducing Food Waste Sustainably

Let’s show respect for our food by minimizing waste. Cook only what you need and get creative with leftovers! Have extra chicken from last night’s feast? Turn it into mouthwatering sliders for lunch the next day.

Challenge yourself to transform ingredients in your pantry and fridge that are nearing their expiry into delightful creations. Especially after a big celebration like Christmas, properly planned leftovers can fuel you for days – and taste just as amazing!

Create an Ambiance

Cooking is an art, and every artist needs a proper setting. Set the mood in your kitchen with your favorite playlist (for me, it’s mellow old-school RnB 🎶), dimmed lighting, and a clutter-free workspace. Have your ingredients prepped and measured to avoid last-minute chaos.

Quiet your mind, immerse yourself in the process, and let the experience unfold naturally.

Appreciate the Creation Process

A chef’s kitchen is a sanctuary. Between the hustle and bustle, take a moment to marvel at the journey of your ingredients. Admire the glistening apples, inhale the scent of fresh parsley, and soak in the rich aromas of a slow-cooked oxtail stew.

There’s something magical about a home filled with these sensory delights – the kind that keeps loved ones lingering around your kitchen, eager to sneak a taste.

And let’s not forget where these ingredients come from. Show love to local farmers and small food entrepreneurs. Supporting them keeps the magic alive. After all, local is lekker!

Pause and Savor the Experience

As we gather around the table with family, friends, and newfound companions, let’s pause to express gratitude – for the meal, for the company, and for the moment.

Unplug from technology. Put your phone down. Turn off the TV. Focus on the people around you and the food in front of you. Engage in heartfelt conversation, laugh a little louder, and savor every bite.

This week, I want to leave you with this thought: Be grateful for where you are now and where you’re going. Life’s a climb, and while the bottom is overcrowded, the view from the top is breathtaking.

A Parting Gift – A Mindful Recipe

Let’s finish this blog with a recipe to inspire mindful cooking and reduce food waste: a delicious Italian Panzanella Salad. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also a creative way to repurpose stale bread and transform it into something extraordinary.

Panzanella Salad

This dish reminds me of a time I personally started feeling confident about myself as an all-round chef. I was now seen as the golden boy within the brigade. Through hard work, I had surpassed my peers. This was the time when work didn’t feel like work. 

Panzanella salad is the world’s best-known Italian salad. This summer salad is similar to a Fattoush salad, a Levantine salad that also includes cucumbers, tomatoes and bread. In this recipe, the whole-wheat bread has been replaced with gluten-free health bread. Red bell peppers have been added to the recipe, providing a great source of vitamins and folate. Baby spinach leaves, which are loaded with nutrients, antioxidants and fibre have also been added. 

Ingredients

• 4 large tomatoes 

• 2 pieces gluten-free health bread, cubed 

• 150g roasted bell peppers, skin removed 

• 100g baby spinach leaves, washed 

• a few fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces 

• ½ cucumber, sliced 

• 1 sweet onion, cut into pieces 

• About 3 tablespoons good quality extra virgin olive oil 

• 1 or 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar 

• About ¾ teaspoon Kosher or sea salt 

• Serves 4 

Method

1. Place the bread into a serving bowl which will accommodate the rest of the ingredients. 

2. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Sprinkle with salt, drizzle with the olive oil and vinegar and toss again, until well mixed. 

3. Leave for a few minutes so that the juice can soak into the bread cubes, then serve.

Thank you for tuning in! Same time, same place next week. Until then, stay grateful, stay delicious, and stay Skinny!

A special thanks to our Creative Director Shadre Leonard.